Chelsea & United are set to battle it out for Fabregas

Chelsea and Manchester United are set to duke it out for Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas as Arsenal set their sights on other transfer targets.

United have been linked with a phalanx of players this summer, with the likes of Borussia Dortmund duo Mats Hummels and Marco Reus on Louis Van Gaal’s wishlist.The Blues meanwhile are closing in on a sensational triple swoop for Atletico Madrid’s Tiago, Diego Costa and Filipe Luis.

Barcelona made it clear at the weekend that Fabregas is up for sale and would part company with the midfielder should they receive offers in the region of £30million.

The Gunners according to reports were thought to be lining up a £29.2m bid to bring Fabregas back to north London, but it seems they have set their sights elsewhere.

Fabregas was in London to film a Beats by Dre advert and is thought to be keen on a return to England, but Arsenal are keen on Sven Bender, the brother of Lars, and AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli.

Though there have been reports in Spain suggesting Manchester City will make a move for Fabregas, Marca which has close links with Barca suggests otherwise.They suggest that United are willing to offer Fabregas a salary of £4.8m a season and are prepared to lodge a bid of £30m to tempt him away from the Camp Nou.

Fabregas’ agent, Darren Dein, has been working the phones and been in talks with top Premier League clubs trying to secure a move for his client.

Chelsea, as Marca goes on to report, are also interested but they aren’t willing to pay him more than £4m a season.

It remains to be seen who will come out on top in this intriguing transfer saga.